If you thought Pittsburgh Steelers would miss their former teammate, Le’Veon Bell, one scene on Tuesday summed up how they felt. Hours after Bell’s deadline to report to the organization came and went, players were video taped raiding the running back’s locker.
They removed his nameplate and took items out of his space, including clothes, shoes, and equipment. Bud Dupree is seen on a Twitter post trying on a pair of Bell’s Jordan brand cleats.
“Awww, they’re ransacking his locker,” guard Ramon Foster said.
While the looting was more in jest, there was a tone of seriousness to it. The team has been held hostage by Bell’s situation, and many felt betrayed that he would do that to them. Tuesday finally put an end to the ordeal that had lasted through training camp.
One player who expressed being hurt by Bell’s actions was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He said that he had texted his now former teammate, about his situation, but never got a reply.
“I was hoping he was going to show up, and if he decided not to I (wished) him nothing but the best,” Roethlisberger told reporters at his locker on Wednesday. “He was a great teammate and football player. To each their own on what they want to walk away from.”
The official Bell-less Steeler era formally begins Sunday at Jacksonville, where Pittsburgh is a 5.5-point favorite.
Tampa Bay Sticking with Fitzpatrick
In an effort to save both Tampa Bay’s season, and his job, coach Dirk Koetter announced that he was staying with backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter over Jameis Winston.
Koetter said in a press conference that he believed Fitzpatrick gave them the best chance to win. This after the 35-year-old fumbled once and added two interceptions in a 16-3 loss to the Washington Redskins.
“We’re right in there,” Koetter said of his 3-6 team. “It’s just barely past the halfway point in the season and there’s a lot of football to be played. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that we can turn this thing and get on a little bit of a win streak. We’ve got to play better football more consistently across the board. Our defense took a nice step in that direction. I still think if we can put it together on both sides of the ball we’ll be all right.”
He’s about the only one who believes the Buccaneers still have a chance to make the playoffs.
Peterman Era Over in Buffalo
With journeyman quarterback Matt Barkley proving he can throw a ball to a player that is wearing the same jersey as him, Buffalo decided to part ways with Nathan Peterman. The team cut him on Monday after Barkley led the Bills to a 41-10 beating of division rival the New York Jets.
Peterman, who is 24, had eight appearances with the Bills and his stats were not good. He had a 52.3 percent completion rate, three touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Jackson Finds Work
It didn’t take long for Hue Jackson to find a job in the NFL. The fired Cleveland Browns coach was hired by Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis as a special assistant. No one, including Jackson, can really say what his role is with the team, though.
When asked what his role would be with his new team, Jackson replied, “Whatever they need me to do.”
The Bengals play the Browns twice in the coming weeks, and one Twitter user snidely remarked: “Who better than to show you how to slow down Brown’s quarterback, Baker Mayfield?”